Combined army forces prepare ammunition that will be used in the Combined Live Fire Exercise as a key part of the ongoing Exercise ALON (Amphibious Land Operation) 2025 at the Combat Readiness Training Area in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on August 27, 2025.⁩ (Photo by PA)

Philippines, Australia Showcase Firepower in Joint Live-Fire Drills

Jeoffrey Maitem - : Aug 27, 2025 - : 9:01 pm

Filipino and Australian armies flexed their firepower in joint live-fire drills on Wednesday in Northern Philippines. The combat exercises, held at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, was part of the ongoing Amphibious Land Operation 25, a two-week military training between...

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Filipino and Australian armies flexed their firepower in joint live-fire drills on Wednesday in Northern Philippines.

The combat exercises, held at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, was part of the ongoing Amphibious Land Operation 25, a two-week military training between the two countries.

Army Col. Louie Dema-ala, spokesperson for the Philippine Army, said they used its self-propelled ATMOS 155mm howitzers, while the Australian Army utilized M777A2 155mm mortars and a light armored vehicle.

The drills, according to him, also showcased Javelin anti-tank missile systems, MK47 grenade launchers, M2 QCB machine guns, Blazer 2 sniper rifles, AW50F anti-materiel rifles, and MAG-58 general-purpose machine guns.”

Minutes before the live-fire exercise, the Philippine Air Force’s A-28 Super Tucano, AW-109, and T-129 ATAK helicopters conducted aerial support after ground targets were identified. The helicopters were equipped with rockets and .50 caliber machine guns to deliver close air support.

“We have an array of platforms. We contributed 14 different 7 types of aircraft, totalling 14. We also have personnel on the ground, [about] 160 personnel who participated in the different aspects, phases of the Exercise ALON,” said Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Condura.

Condura added that the participating airlift assets were equipped with combat capabilities and were supposed to perform drills but the pilot decided to abort live fire because of inclement weather.

“We gave them limitations but actually the pilots are trained, the aircraft are designed to address targets and whenever the opportunities present themselves, the Philippine Air Force pilots and our platforms will deliver,” Condura said.

The combat drills, which will conclude on August 29 and were observed by delegations from Canada, the United States, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia, come as Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. agreed to finalize an ‘enhanced defence cooperation’ agreement by next year, strengthening security coordination in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Under the proposed accord, Australia planned to pursue “eight different infrastructure projects across five different locations” in the Philippines. Australia will also develop a plan to guide investment “for the benefit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines”.